The first genuine Italian subcompact automobile, the Fiat 508 holds an important place in the country’s automotive history.

Developed by a “who’s who” of the country’s best engineers, including Dante Giacosa, it was popularly nicknamed ‘Balilla’ after a military hero of the 18th century who was becoming well known again in this era of Italian nationalism.

By the admission of one of its designers, Antonio Fessia, “there was nothing original” in the design, but where the 508 succeeded was in getting so much of itself right the first time.

It was comfortable enough for those who desired comfort and economical enough for those who required economy while also being priced attractively at 10,000 lire—versus the 25,000 lire charged for the Fiat 509 built only three years prior.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ‘Balilla’ became an immediate success both in the Italian press and in the salesrooms, with 112,000 being built between 1932 and 1937.

It was manufactured not only in Italy, but also in...